Traffic in Delhi-NCR has come down sharply in the last few days during the pre-Diwali rush. Key market areas and routes are witnessing bumper-to-bumper congestion, leaving commuters frustrated.
Commuters, who said they had expected the festival rush but this year had “reached a new peak”, said otherwise smooth stretches were also congested throughout the day on Friday.
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“Traffic in Delhi is usually terrible during the festive season, but this year WTAF has hit a new high,” wrote one commuter on X.
Another added, “Delhi traffic is crossing all boundaries this Diwali, as is civic sense.”
“This Diwali, Delhi shines brightest from the endless trail of car headlights. The real spirit of Diwali? Stuck in traffic, glowing under taillights for hours,” said one netizen with levity.
Social media has been flooded with images and videos of vehicles crawling or standing still near key roads.
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As traffic continues to be gridlocked in most parts of Delhi, Delhi Police Additional CP (Traffic Branch) Dinesh Kumar Gupta said that traffic police personnel are being deployed to the department’s maximum capacity to better manage the congestion.
“…due to the festival season, the number of commuters has increased and people go for shopping and meetings. We have maintained vigilance, deployed maximum staff and coordinated with the local police for effective traffic management,” he said.
As Delhi witnesses huge crowds in markets and public places during Diwali, “our aim is to ensure the safety of citizens, prevent untoward incidents and manage traffic efficiently,” the officer said.
As part of the preparations, the Delhi Police has already stepped up foot patrols across the city, with a particular focus on markets, religious sites and high-traffic areas.
Senior officers of respective districts personally supervise these patrols to maintain a strong visible presence and inspire confidence among the citizens.
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The goal of increased foot patrols is not only to deter potential offenders, but also to increase community involvement, the officer said, adding that being on the scene reassures the public and helps prevent crime.
Additionally, Delhi Police has started conducting mock drills at several key locations to assess the force’s emergency response readiness.
The officer further added that machans (temporary guard posts) are being installed at vital facilities and crowded places, including big markets, to improve crowd surveillance and monitoring.
“The aim is to maintain vigilance over large gatherings and ensure immediate response to any disturbance or suspicious activity,” another police officer said.
